Just as the three Democratic candidates for the 4th Congressional District said they've most often encountered during their travels throughout the district, a focus on jobs and the economy permeated Tuesday‘s forum.

Will Richmond

Just as the three Democratic candidates for the 4th Congressional District said they've most often encountered during their travels throughout the district, a focus on jobs and the economy permeated Tuesday‘s forum.

The congenial forum, hosted by The Martin Institute at Stonehill College and moderated by The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette Associate Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Lisa Strattan, provided few sparks as they discussed questions posed by a panel that included WCVB-TV political reporter Sean Kelly, WGBH Greater Boston political reporter Adam Reilly and Herald News editorial page editor Aaron Frechette.

Asked how they would approach the main issue on the minds of most constituents, candidates Rachel Brown, Joseph Kennedy III and Herb Robinson offered their solutions to a packed house that was mostly in support of Kennedy.

For Kennedy, the goal is investing in small business and building an educated workforce for employers in all industries to draw from.

Robinson contended that stimulus plans would serve as the key to getting people back to work, particularly through plans that would focus on weatherization to put unemployed construction workers back to work. He said his plan would have benefits to the small businesses Kennedy talked about.

"I think the thing that small businesses need the most is customers and that comes from stimulus spending," Robinson said.

From Brown's point of view, the future job market opened recently with the landing of a craft on Mars. She said there are businesses throughout the district that could benefit from the expansion of the space program.

When not discussing jobs and the economy throughout their travels, Kennedy said the most discussed topic is the bipartisanship in Washington, D.C.

He said that as a former prosecutor he can bring the skills needed to bridge the widening gap between the two parties.

A common theme for Brown throughout the hourlong forum was the reinstatement of Glass-Steagall in order to strengthen the economy. In terms of bipartisanship, Brown said Glass-Steagall can bring members of both parties together. Brown also pointed to the proposed legislation as the "fundamental change" needed to repair the existing codes.

"We need Glass-Steagall, it's the only way to stop the global financial crises," Brown said.

Each of the candidates said they were in support of the American Care Act, but Kennedy and Brown acknowledged a need to repeal the medical device tax. Both Robinson and Kennedy said they were also in favor of repealing the Defense Against Marriage Act, but Brown took no stance, saying it's not a "No. 1 issue right now."

"The issue of the economy is more important and that's what we should focus on," Brown said.

Each of the candidates also pointed to a need to reform campaign finance laws, with Kennedy saying that the large sums of money coming from corporations into campaigns at all levels should be changed, even if it takes a Constitutional amendment.

"Absent that we have to look at transparency," Kennedy said. "Who is contributing, who is behind the messages."

He admitted full disclosure, however, is likely "just a stop gap."

Robinson provided a few of the lighter moments during the forum, including a moment when asked about the relevance of having lived in the district rather than moving into it for the purpose of running.

Robinson's response of "well, I'm supposed to answer no to this, right?" drew a laugh from the crowd, but he also said that while it does give a candidate a good feel for the area, it's not a significant factor. Rather, he said, it was about the opportunity to meet people and at times learn about new ideas that really matter.